It is really no surprise we farm. We both grew up in families where much of the food we ate came from the backyard. From a young age we learned how to raise, care for, and take pride in a productive home garden. As we got older, we became more and more spoiled on an abundance of good things to eat. Gardening became a passion, a way of life.

“…For all things produced in the garden, whether of salads or fruits, a poor man will eat better that has one of his own, than a rich man that has none.” - J.C. Loudon, An Encyclopedia of Gardening, 1826

We fell in love the summer of 2012. Erika, a seasoned farmer and gardener was in her fourth year as farm manager at Snowdrift Farm. Ken, an idealistic intern with big ideas was fresh out of college with his sights set on farming. We became inseparable. Sharing a propensity toward simple living, a deep appreciation for nature, and an incurable gardening fever, we embarked on a path to heal the earth through organic/biodynamic farming.

In 2013, we founded Erika Eschholz LLC doing business under the Snowdrift Farm name. After completing a successful season and becoming engaged in the fall, an irresistible opportunity arose at the former Blue Flax Farm. In spring, 2014 Teton Full Circle Farm was born.

From the beginning of Teton Full Circle Farm, we sought a place to sink our roots and call home. Though we loved simple living, our off-grid yurt life with no running water would take its toll. We considered buying our farm at Mountainside Village outright, but could not afford to purchase at development prices. We looked farther afield.

“I have often thought that if heaven had given me a choice of position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden.” - Thomas Jefferson, 1811​We identified four property purchase essentials to guide our land search: good soil, reliable water access, supportive community, and affordable land. In 2015, we visited a property in Greenville, West Virginia complete with rolling pastures and expansive woods, only to find that despite its incredible natural beauty it lacked reliable water and supportive community.

In February 2016 Erika’s parents found a dream farm for sale near their home in Maine. It was 90-acres of picturesque fields and woodland boasting a well-kept historic farm house, barns and outbuildings. Moreover this farm was listed at below half its original market value thanks to the Maine Farmland Trust. In a novel strategy for conserving land, the Farmland Trust purchased the farm, placed an agricultural easement on the property and listed it without its development rights, making this idyllic farm not just affordable, but a screaming deal. It sounded too good to be true - and it was. Applications to purchase the farm closed the day before we called. Disappointed yet encouraged, we made contact with the Maine Farmland Trust to learn how agricultural easements make farmland affordable and protect it forever.

That spring we redoubled our efforts to find land out east. We scoured farm listings, made contact with land owners, and booked flights to Maine and Vermont. New England was charming and peaceful, but nowhere did we find all four of our criteria. We returned home heavy-hearted and back at square one. Our trip forced us to face the realities of moving and starting over across the country felt impossible. Meanwhile, our homecoming helped us realize how deeply we loved our community in the Tetons. How could we leave?

“A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves.” ― Wendell Berry

Then it happened. A few weeks after our return, the perfect property surfaced just one mile north (as the crow flies) of our present leased land in Victor, Idaho. “Hey Ken and Erika, I saw a piece of property over by my place you may be interested in. It sounds a lot like what you said you’re looking for,” wrote Scott Paulson via text one evening in early July. A few days later on the 4th we visited the farm and within minutes knew it was the one. It had good soil, solid irrigation water, and the same great community we loved, and a reasonable price relative to other properties we viewed. The only problem was that, despite being more reasonable than other properties, this land was listed at development prices and out of our reach.

After all we had gone through, money was not going to deter us and we immediately set our minds to making this farm a reality. We contacted the USDA Farm Service Agency to see if we were candidates for a low-interest loan. Check. We contacted the Teton Regional Land Trust to see if they could put an agricultural easement on this property. Check. Thus encouraged, we chipped away at months of negotiations with the seller and one massive loan application from the USDA Farm Service Agency in-between harvest days. After submitting dozens of mind-numbing financial and agricultural reports from the last three years, we were accepted for a mortgage loan. Fall came, the growing season ended, and on November 4th, 2016 our dream came true. Gardening has been a part of us all of our lives and we finally have a place to carry out our vision. On this farm, we will build soil, increase biodiversity, improve human health, and create opportunities for new farmers to pursue their passions. On this farm, community members will learn, eat great food, share knowledge and skills, and spread love. We are on the brink of something momentous, but we need your help to get there. Life just isn’t as delicious without local food and local farms. Help preserve this one forever.

Please visit Farmland Forever to make a contribution today. Thank you for your help!

Hello Ken,
The new farmland is at 325E 7750S. It is near the Mud Lake trail head, where you might go to get to Baldy Knoll. Just east of Victor. Thanks for your interest.

Warmly, Erika

Reply

Wilfried ESCHHOLZ

1/7/2018 10:31:29 am

Hello Erika and Ken,
I read your newsletter- twice- and am DEEPLY impressed what you are doing. wow- more power to YOU.
So, be prepared to get a check from us- your goal MUST be achieved- and will be achieved.
More in a letter to you which will come soon.
Uncle Wilfried and aunt Helga- Berlin, Germany

Reply

Kathy Schnier

1/10/2018 08:00:14 am

Chiming in to say Hi as I missed my annual visit to the farm with Chrstine ... Hopefully back on track with that next summer :)

I will be happily sending a check from the Schnier family to support this wonderful initiative !!!

Hope 2018 is a great one in the valley ...

My best,

Kathy

Reply

Erika Eschholz

1/19/2018 02:35:58 pm

Hello Kathy,
Thank you so very much for your support of this project. It really means so much to have such a wide diversity of our greater farm family helping to protect this farmland. It will have lasting effects far beyond our lives. It is truly just as much a gift to the future as it is to the present local food movement. As you know Christine has been with us since with us since we started Teton Full Circle Farm and has been a great asset to the local food movement as well. We are so lucky to have her part of the team. Hope we get to see you this summer and take you over to see the new land. Thanks again for your contribution. It really will make a difference for paving the way for more farmland to be protected in the near future.

Warmly,
Erika and Ken

Reply

Joanie & John

2/14/2018 09:40:44 am

Happy Valentine's Day to you both. We just made our contribution to Farmland Forever via Christine Ford in Driggs. Please keep us posted on the progress. We are SO Proud of what you are doing in that beautiful Valley!